A print data generating device generates print data printable by a tape printer including a feeding mechanism which feeds a print tape in a scanning direction, a print head which performs print processing on the print tape fed in the scanning direction, and a tape cutter which is arranged downstream of the print head in the scanning direction and cuts the print tape. In the print data generating device, a print direction of a print image is changed in such a way that an image arrangement area on the print image of the print data, and a print area where the print processing is carried out by the print head in a paper feed acceleration/deceleration zone at the time of cutting the print tape, do not overlap with each other.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A print data generating device which generates print data printable by a printing device, the printing device comprising: a feeding unit which feeds continuous forms paper in a scanning direction; a line head which performs print processing on the continuous forms paper fed in the scanning direction; and a cutting unit which is arranged downstream of the line head in the scanning direction and cuts the continuous forms paper, wherein a direction in which a print image is printed is changed in such a way that an image arrangement area on the print image of the print data, and a print area where the print processing by the line head is carried out in a paper feed acceleration/deceleration zone at the time of cutting the continuous forms paper, do not overlap with each other.
A print data generating device creates printable data for a printer that uses continuous paper, a print head, and a cutter. The device adjusts the print image direction to prevent overlap between the intended image area and the area that gets printed during paper feed acceleration/deceleration while the cutter is active. This ensures that printing artifacts caused by speed changes during cutting don't interfere with the main image.
2. The print data generating device according to claim 1 , comprising: a direction change decision unit which decides whether or not to carry out direction change processing of changing the direction in which the print image is printed; and a direction change execution unit which executes the direction change processing if the direction change decision unit decides that the direction change processing is to be carried out, wherein the direction change decision unit decides whether or not to carry out the direction change processing in such a way that the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone do not overlap with each other.
The print data generating device described above includes a direction change decision unit and a direction change execution unit. The direction change decision unit determines whether to rotate the print image to avoid overlap between the intended image area and the print area affected by acceleration/deceleration during cutting. The direction change execution unit then rotates the image if the decision unit determines overlap is likely. The goal is to keep the intended image clear of any print artifacts occurring near the cut.
3. The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the direction change decision unit analyzes the print data to determine the image arrangement area on the print image, and decides whether or not to carry out the direction change processing, using the determined image arrangement area.
In the print data generating device described where rotation prevents overlap, the direction change decision unit analyzes the print data to specifically determine the image arrangement area. It then uses the determined image area to decide whether rotating the image will prevent overlap between the image area and the print area during paper feed acceleration/deceleration at the time of cutting.
4. The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the direction change execution unit executes processing of changing the direction in which the print image is printed, by 180 degrees, as the direction change processing.
In the print data generating device described where rotation prevents overlap, the direction change execution unit rotates the print image by 180 degrees. This rotation is done to avoid overlap between the intended print image and any printing artifacts created during paper feed acceleration/deceleration when cutting the continuous paper.
5. The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the direction change decision unit decides whether or not to carry out the direction change processing in such a way that an area of overlap between the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone becomes smaller when the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone overlap with each other both in the case where the direction change processing is executed and in the case where the direction change processing is not executed.
In the print data generating device described where rotation prevents overlap, the direction change decision unit decides whether to rotate the print image in a way that *minimizes* overlap. It checks if rotating (or not rotating) results in less overlap between the image area and the print area during acceleration/deceleration. The solution (rotate or don't rotate) that gives the least overlap is then selected.
6. The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the direction change decision unit decides whether or not to carry out the direction change processing in such a way that a difference between a density of a color in an overlapping area where the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone overlap with each other, and a reference value, becomes greater when the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone overlap with each other both in the case where the direction change processing is executed and in the case where the direction change processing is not executed.
In the print data generating device described where rotation prevents overlap, the direction change decision unit decides whether to rotate the print image based on color density differences. It calculates the difference between the color density in the overlap area during acceleration/deceleration and a reference value. The image rotation (or no rotation) that maximizes this difference is selected. This aims to move sensitive color areas away from printing artifacts.
7. The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the image arrangement area is an area where an image in a color of intermediate gradation is arranged.
In the print data generating device described where rotation prevents overlap, the image arrangement area contains an image using intermediate color gradations. The rotation logic is used to keep colors of intermediate gradation away from potential artifacts that may occur during paper acceleration/deceleration.
8. A printing device comprising: the print data generating device according to claim 2 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.
A printing device incorporates the print data generating device that decides whether to rotate an image for clean cuts. The printing device also has a paper feeding unit, a line print head, and a cutting unit. The print data generating device aims to prevent overlap between the intended image and the printing artifacts during paper acceleration/deceleration.
9. A printing device comprising: the print data generating device according to claim 3 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.
A printing device incorporates the print data generating device that analyzes the print data to decide whether to rotate an image for clean cuts. The printing device also has a paper feeding unit, a line print head, and a cutting unit. The print data generating device aims to prevent overlap between the intended image and the printing artifacts during paper acceleration/deceleration.
10. A printing device comprising: the print data generating device according to claim 4 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.
A printing device incorporates the print data generating device that rotates an image by 180 degrees to prevent overlap. The printing device also has a paper feeding unit, a line print head, and a cutting unit. The print data generating device aims to prevent overlap between the intended image and the printing artifacts during paper acceleration/deceleration.
11. A printing device comprising: the print data generating device according to claim 5 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.
A printing device incorporates the print data generating device that minimizes overlap between an image and a printing artifact during paper acceleration/deceleration when cutting the continuous paper. The printing device also has a paper feeding unit, a line print head, and a cutting unit.
12. A printing device comprising: the print data generating device according to claim 6 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.
A printing device incorporates the print data generating device that considers color density differences in overlap regions between an image and a printing artifact during paper acceleration/deceleration when cutting the continuous paper. The printing device also has a paper feeding unit, a line print head, and a cutting unit.
13. A printing device comprising: the print data generating device according to claim 7 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.
A printing device incorporates the print data generating device that handles intermediate gradations in images, by preventing overlap between an image and a printing artifact during paper acceleration/deceleration when cutting the continuous paper. The printing device also has a paper feeding unit, a line print head, and a cutting unit.
14. A print data generating method for generating print data printable by a printing device, the printing device including a feeding unit which feeds continuous forms paper in a scanning direction, a line head which performs print processing on the continuous forms paper fed in the scanning direction, and a cutting unit which is arranged downstream of the line head in the scanning direction and cuts the continuous forms paper, the method comprising: changing a direction in which a print image is printed, in such a way that an image arrangement area on the print image of the print data, and a print area where the print processing by the line head is carried out in a paper feed acceleration/deceleration zone at the time of cutting the continuous forms paper, do not overlap with each other.
A print data generating method is performed by a printing device that uses continuous paper, a print head, and a cutter. The method rotates the print image direction to avoid overlap between the intended image area and the area affected by acceleration/deceleration of the paper feed during cutting. This ensures that printing artifacts during cutting do not interfere with the desired image.
15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a program causing a computer to execute the print data generating method according to claim 14 .
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores a program that instructs a computer to perform a print data generating method. This method rotates a print image to prevent overlap between the intended image and printing artifacts that may occur during paper acceleration/deceleration during cutting of continuous paper on a printer with a line head.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 21, 2016
April 11, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.